The Effects of Grain Moisture Content, Grain Temperature, and Dockage on the Penetration of Hydrogen Cyanide1

Abstract

Research was performed to determine the effects of variations in grain moisture content, temperature, and dockage content on penetration of HCN through a gain mass. Grain sorghum samples with moisture contents of 11%, 13%, and 15% were fumigated at temperature of 65°, 80° and 95° F. Interstitial air samples and grain samples were taken for cyanide residue analyses at sampling level of 3-, 9-, and 15-ft distances from the point of introduction of the gas. Air samples were taken at 4, 8, and 24 hr and grain samples 4 and 24hr after the introduction of the fumigant. All the main variables caused significant difference in gas concentrations in the air and grain residues. Analyses of samples obtained 4, 8, and 24 hr after introduction of the gas disclosed that cyanide concentrations in the interstitial air and residues on the grain decreased as grain moisture content was increased. These were lower under high temperature conditions. The presence of dockage had an effect similar to that of high moisture in that it reduced the cyanide concentration in the interstitial air and the residue on the fumigated grain sorghum.